John Alexander Munro

John was born on July 23, 1938 in Grand Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador, the son of Alister Malcom Munro and Agnes Cameron Frew. John graduated from MacPherson Academy, St. John’s in 1956, and then went on to study Forestry at Memorial University (Diploma in Forestry 1958), the University of New Brunswick (B.Sc. Forestry 1961) the University of Toronto (M.Sc. Forestry 1966) and the University of British Columbia (Ph.D. Forestry Economics 1978). John’s entire career was dedicated to forest management, working in the civil service for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada until his retirement in 1996. He was an active member of the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF), and they awarded him the Tree of Life Award in 2006 to acknowledge his contributions.

John married his high school sweetheart Lorraine Lillian Parsons in 1963 in St. John’s Newfoundland. They had three children, Katherine Munro, Kenneth Munro and Michael Munro, four grandchildren, Venus Munro, Holly Munro, Alexandre Choiniere and Sarasvati Gorman, all of which are remaining to cherish his memory. Also surviving him are his daughter-in-law Harpreet Aulakh, daughter-in-law Robin Grant, son-in-law John Gorman, sister Ann Blackwood (nee Munro), brother-in-law Chesley Blackwood, sister Gillian Dickson (nee Munro), brother-in-law Robert Dickson, brother William Munro, sister-in-law Diane Munro (nee Cooney), sister-in-law Jean Perry (nee Parsons), and extended family.

Preceding John in death are his spouse, Lorraine (2008), his father, Alister (1965), his mother, Agnes (2003), and his brother, Peter (1933).

In his retirement, John spent his time researching Newfoundland forestry history; writing poetry, songs, and essays; playing the guitar and the mandolin; researching family genealogy; spending time with friends and family; bird watching, long nature walks, and simply enjoying the great outdoors.

John will be cremated in Halifax, with a celebration of life event to take place in St. John’s later in the year.

In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia, Ocean View Continuing Care Centre, the David Suzuki Foundation, or Trees for Life.